In recent years, plum cultivation in several mountainous northwest provinces has been well developed. This new sector has made it possible to reduce poverty for many ethnic minority families in several localities such as Lào Cai, Son La and Hà Giang.
>>Sơn La: the fruits of success
>>Plum trees contribute to the rejection of poverty
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| The cultivation of plum trees in the Northwest helps alleviate poverty for many ethnic minority families. |
In Bac Hà district, Lào Cai province, June is the harvest time for Tam Hoa plums, a variety with dark purple skin. The district has 600 ha of orchards, mainly in the communes of Tà Chai, Ban Phô, Thai Giàng Phô and Na Hôi, which produce nearly 3,000 tons of fruit each year.
The district of Môc Châu, province of Son La, is considered the “plum basket” of the country. Its 3,200 ha allow a production of approximately 28,000 tons. The harvest goes from the beginning of May to the end of June. Most of the owners are H’mông who often say that plum trees are a godsend because they are adapted to mountain soils, do not require too much care and bring in important sources of income.
The H’mông residing in Hoàng Su Phi district, Hà Giang province, cultivate a variety of red plum whose harvest takes place later, towards the end of June. The district lists a dozen municipalities cultivating more than 383 ha of orchards. In May and June, many traders, mainly from Hanoi and northern provinces such as Hung Yên, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh…, flock to the plum orchards of the North West.
In addition to wholesale, several orchards also offer community tourism. Visitors are invited to come and pick the plums directly with the local people. They can eat it for free on the spot or buy it, for a price of 40,000-60,000 VND per kilo.
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Texte et photos : Linh Thao-CTV-VNA/CVN
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